Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:1-21

2. The peace of the grave is better than the condition of unrest under their rulers (Isaiah 57:1). Shall enter.. shall rest] RV ’entereth.. rest.' 3, 5. Sons, etc.] i.e. descendants, perpetuating the character of their ancestors. Seed, etc.] i.e. through your idolatry violating the mystical union between Jehovah and His people: cp. Ezekiel 16:44.
3. Sport yourselves] implying that they find delight in the misfortune of the servants of Jehovah.
4. Enflaming] The word describes the excitement attending the orgies which accompanied the celebration of heathen rites: cp. 1 Kings 18:26, 1 Kings 18:28. Slaying, etc.] referring to human sacrifices practised under Ahaz and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Kings 21:6).
5. An allusion to stone-worship (Jeremiah 3:9). Large stones, such as those referred to, were fetiches of the Semitic races in early times, and were thought to be abodes of a deity: cp. the action of Jacob, Genesis 28:11, Genesis 28:18. Thy lot] whereas Jehovah was their true portion (Jeremiah 10:16; Psalms 16:5). Should.. these?] RV ‘shall I be appeased for these things?’
6. Thy bed] Idolatry is in OT. commonly figured as adultery (Exodus 34:15; Deuteronomy 31:16); hence bed is put for the place of idol-worship.
7. Remembrance] RV ‘memorial,’ i.e. idolatrous inscription, in place of the memorial of God’s law (Deuteronomy 6:9).
8. The figure is that of a woman trying to attract admirers. Judah had coquetted with foreign kings, especially with the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:7, 2 Kings 16:10). Or perhaps for the king we should read ‘Moloch’; the reference then is to idolatry, as in the preceding vv. Messengers] RV ‘ambassadors.’ Unto hell] i.e. Hades, put for the lowest abasement.
9. In the greatness] RV ‘with the length.’ Hast found.. hand] RV ‘didst find a quickening of thy strength,’ i.e. Judah imagined her power increased by foreign alliances. Grieved] RV ‘faint.’
10. Of whom] i.e. heathen gods. Lied] in outwardly recognising Jehovah, while in heart faithless to Him. Of old] RV ‘of long time.’
11. Ironical. And thy works, etc.] RV ‘and as for. thy works, they shall not profit thee.’
12. Companies] RM ‘rabble,’ alluding to the numerous gods introduced. Vanity, etc.] RV ‘a breath shall carry them away.’
13. Let all barriers to the return be removed.
14. Jehovah remembers and will restore the faithful among the exiles.
15. For the spirit should fail] i.e. mankind could not survive God’s judgments.
16. God hid His face and was angry, in order to turn His people from their sins. Covetousness] cp. Jeremiah 6:13; Amos 8:4.
17. His ways] of repentance.
18. I create, etc.] i.e. Jehovah gives men occasion to praise Him. Far off.. near] referring to the dispersed Israelites, those far off from Jerusalem, and those near to it: cp. Daniel 9:7.